111 Nigerian Migrants ‘Trapped’ In Libya Arrive Home Today

The European Union has announced that about 111 Nigerian migrants in Libya are expected to return to Nigeria today, May 3, 2018.

The Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, who made this known while speaking with newsmen on the forthcoming Europe Day in Abuja on Wednesday, said another batch of 111 were scheduled to arrive Lagos on Thursday.

Ketil told newsmen that the conditions of the Nigerian migrants trapped in Libya was a matter of priority to the European Union.

He also said that the union was increasing its dialogue with partners on finding a durable and long-term solution to the problem of irregular migration.

He noted that the European Union has facilitated the safe and voluntary return of 7,720 Nigerians over the last months through partnership with International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Ketil said. “For us it is vital that the return is done in an orderly manner where the returnees are given an opportunity to start life again. We are partnering with IOM to give them funding and vocational training for them to start something.”

The deputy Head of the EU Delegation, Richard Yang, who was also at the briefing said the EU would partner with IOM to render assistance in four areas.

“On their return, they will be granted some seed money of about €100,” he expalined. “We (the EU) will counsel and identify the vulnerable people, particularly those psychologically affected as a result of being victims of human trafficking.

“We will identify individuals interested in setting up some businesses or go into some vocational activities, or other interested in coming together in cooperatives to set up businesses.

“Then, we will work with their state or local governments, along with agencies like National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the towns of their origin to ensure capacity building for them.”